The Pine Acts. — Our townsfolk have been recently gratified by th» appearance in the streets of an Italian with a tray, full of plaster casts, upon his head. The Italian has we understand recently arrived from Melbourne, and his caste, which are made in Nelson, are very fair specimens, and we hope that he may meet with the encouragement which his enterprise deserves. Massacbe Bay. — The election of a member to represent this district in the Provincial Council, in the room of W. R. Nicholson, Esq., will take place on the 16th August. We understand that a numerously signed requisition from the inhabitants of Motupipi and Takaka has been sent to Mr. I. M. Hill ; but nothing that we arc aware of has transpired respecting Mr. Hill's intentions ; nor have we heard that any other person is likely to come forward as a candidate. The Weatheb.— AMTtha^&ae weather that has been so long experienced, the raw has at last set in in earnest. The river Maitai hasrise* considerably, but we have not heard of any damage being done. The Masonic Ball. — The ball by which it is proposed to celebrate the opening of the Masonic Hall, was to have taken place on Thursday evening ; but, owing to the continued wetness of the weather, and to the fact that many of the expected country visitors would be unable to cross the rivers, the Stewards wisely resolved to postpone the ball until Monday nex^when it i 3 hoped that the weatner will be more favourable. Masonic Hail. — This elegant and commodious building was formally dedicated to the purposes for which it has be*n built, on Thursday last. John Sharp, Esq., W.M., presided, and was assisted by the officers and master masons of the Southern Star Lodge, when the rites and ceremonies usual on such occasions were duly gone through. In the evening several members of the lodge, joined by a few friends, dined together in the hall, and the evening was passed with the utmost conviviality, a novel feature of which was the dancing ala Spurgcon. The hall is 51 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 17 feet in height, and is truly a noble room. The entire cost of erection has been £800.

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